Rapid discharge hopper car

ABSTRACT

The rapid commodity discharge car contains no center sill along the car bottom opening and the longitudinally spaced hoppers are closed by a pair of doors which overlap in the closed position along the longitudinal center line. The doors are mounted to door hangers pivotally connected in the spaces between the various hoppers of the car. The doors are actuated by a vertically disposed air cylinder and rack and pinion assembly which is also located in the space between the hoppers. The rack and pinion connect to a linkage assembly which locks in both the open and closed position. The various pivot points of the linkage assembly and the door hangers are positioned so that the centers of gravity of the car doors are vertically disposed below the door hanger pivot points when the linkage is in its position of least mechanical advantage.

United States Beers, Jr. et al.

ateut 1 1 [451 Jan. 22, 1974 RAPID DISCHARGE HOPPER CAR [73] Assignee: Greenville Steel Car Company,

Greenville, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 17, 11972 [21] Appl. No.: 253,977

[52] U.S. Cl 105/240, 105/250, 105/283, 105/290, 105/305 [51] Int. Cl B61d 7/02, B6ld 7/18, B61d 7/28 [58] Field of Search... 105/240, 250, 251, 283, 284, 105/305, 290

Primary Examiner Robert G. Sheridan Assistant Examiner-Howard Beltran Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Webb, Burden, Robinson & Webb [57] ABSTRACT The rapid commodity discharge car contains no center sill along the car bottom opening and the longitudinally spaced hoppers are closed by a pair of doors which overlap in the closed position along the longitudinal center line. The doors are mounted to door hangers pivotally connected in the spaces between the various hoppers of the car. The doors are actuated by a vertically disposed air cylinder and rack and pinion assembly which is also located in the space between the hoppers. The rack and pinion connect to a linkage assembly which locks in both the open and closed position. The various pivot points of the linkage assembly and the door hangers are positioned so that the centers of gravity of the car doors are vertically disposed below the door hanger pivot points when the linkage is in its position of least mechanical advantage.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Emma 1914 3786764 sum 2 nr [a saw a HP 4 PATENT ED m 2 2 I974 RAPID DISCHARGE HOPPER CAR Our invention relates to a rapid commodity discharge car and, more particularly, to a center silless car and a door assembly and actuating means for a rapid commodity discharge railroad freight car.

A number of different types of railroad cars are in service today for hauling various types of lading and to discharge that lading through doors on the car body underside. These cars normally have a plurality of hoppers which are opened and closed by various door means to discharge the. lading as swiftly as possible. Generally, the hopper cars include a center sill along the underside of the car body which obstructs the opening of the hoppers or which requires that multiple sets of door pairs be employed, a separated set being on both sides of the center sill. However, designs having door openings on each side of the center still have minimized the effective area for lading discharge and, in addition, have on occasion caused cars to actually tip over when lading on one side failed to discharge or when the doors on one side have failed to open. Doors which are permitted to freely fall open from a pivotal connection along the car sides have not provided the answers since such doors normally exceed the AAR clearance line and often may swing beyond the car sides, therefore, creating safety hazards. Further, complex mechanisms have been employed to open up the various doors and these, mechanisms have generally met with little success because of their complexities and large number of pivot points necessary to permit the door assemblies to function. In addition, cars with center sills tend to create bridges across the hopper bottoms and, therefore, the bottom of the load tends to drop out prior to bridging which then creates a discontinuous release of pressure on the car springs, thereby making the car unstable during discharging.

Our invention overcomes the aforementioned problems be providing a door mechanism which results in a more controlled opening and an unobstructed opening which results in the free flow of the various commodities. The doors are locked in both the open and closed position and the weight of the load is on the door hanger pivot points rather than the door actuating mechanism. The doors, by providing an initial substantially horizontal base and then an increasing angular opening, provide for a smooth and continuous spring release action as the load is discharged, thereby eliminating any instability during discharging. By placing the door actuating mechanism vertically between the hoppers, it is protected from the weather and from damage when the car is run through a standard heat shed to thaw the lading. Although the doors do not swing past standard AAR clearance lines, a substantial portion of the surface area at the top of the car is exposed through the bottom of the car when the doors are in their open position. By minimizing the number of pivot points controlling the opening and closing of the doors, the actuating mechanism is easier to construct and maintain than the more complex designs presently in use. Further, because of the simplicity of the door actuating mechanism, hopper cars can be partitioned on the transverse center line to actually haul and unload two different commodities independently of each other. Further because of the degree of control of the door actuating assembly, irrespective of the weight of the lading, it is contemplated that a'dense commodity can be hauled in one direction and a substantially less dense commodity can be hauled in a reverse direction in the same car.

The present invention is directed to a rapid commodity discharge car in which the doors overlap in a closed position along the longitudinal center line of the car and in which there is no center sill along the car bottom opening. The doors are actuated by a cylinder and rack and pinion arrangement positioned vertically between the hoppers of the car and which cooperate with a linkage assembly to lock the doors in the over-center position in both the opened and closed positions. The doors are mounted on door hangers which extend vertically from within the spaces between the hoppers and substantially inward of the car sides. The linkage and door hangers are arranged so that the weight of the lading bears on the pivot points of the door hangers and not the actuating assembly and so that the door hangers extend vertical when the linkage is in a position of least mechanical advantage.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown our presently preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the car;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the car;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along section lines III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 3, but shows the doors in a half opened position;

FIG. 5 is the same as FIG. 3, but shows the doors in the completely open position;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the linkage assembly and rack and pinion;

FIG. 7 is a section taken along section lines VII-VII of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a modification employing separately operating door pairs; and

FIG. 9 is a section taken along section lines IXlX of FIG. 8 and showing one set of doors and one set of doors closed.

The railroad car, generally designated 10, in the preferred embodiment includes four independent compartment hoppers 11, l2, l3 and 14, respectively, which are positioned in spaced apart relationship along the length of the car 10, FIGS. 1 and 2. Specifically, hoppers 11 and 12 are separated by space 15 therebetween, hoppers 12 and 13 are separated by space 16 therebetween and hoppers l3 and 14 are separated by space 17 therebetween. The car 10 has no center sill in the area of the open car bottom to obstruct any of the hopper openings which form the car bottom. Each hopper includes vertical hopper sides 20, supported by side sills 21 and inclined bottom surfaces 22 which lead to the hopper openings. Each hopper is closed off at its ends by hopper end walls 23.

The open car bottom is closed off by a pair of doors l8 and 19 which extend the length thereof. These doors l8 and 19 include door floor 25 and cooperating door lip 24, respectively, which engage in overlapping relationship along the longitudinal center line of the car when the doors l8 and 19 are in the closed position, FIG. 3.

The doors I8 and 19 are mounted to door hangers 26 and 27, respectively, which are positioned in each of the spaces l5, l6 and 17 between the respective hoppers. The door hangers 26 and 27 are mounted through pivotal connections 28 and 29 to housings 30 and 31. Each housing connects to and between the hopper end walls 23 of adjacent hoppers, FIG. 3. For example, door hanger 27, which consists of two spaced steel plates secured together by a tie plate 44, is mounted on a shaft 43 to form the pivotal connection 29; Shaft 43 rotates freely within housing 30 which is rigidly mounted between hopper end walls 23 of adjacent hoppers, FIG. 7. End door hanger is also secured together by additional tie plates 68, FIG. 3.

The doors 18 and 19 are operated by an air cylinder 35 and a linkage assembly positioned within the space 16 between the center most hoppers 12 and 13. The air cylinder 35 is mounted well up into the space 16 so that it extends and operates in strictly a vertical position to actuate the linkage assembly positioned below the air cylinder 35, FIGS. 3-5.

The linkage assembly comprises a straight center link 32 and two curved end links 33 and 34, respectively. In practice, the center link 32 actually constitutes two spaced links along a common shaft 40, both functioning in the same manner, FIG. 6. The end links 33 and 34 are each made up of four identical links. These four identical links are positioned in two pairs, each pair being connected by side ribs 45 and 46 and being spaced on either side of the center links 32. In other words, there are two center links 32 functioning identically and eight end links which define four pairs, each pair positioned on either side of a center link and connected by a side rib. The end links 33 and 34 are curved in shape and are pivotally attached to opposing ends of center link 32 by means of shafts 47 which extend through openings in the link ends. Shafts 47 are headed and the linkages are retained in place by the headed portion of shaft 47 and cotter pins in standard fashion. To increase the actual bearing surfaces, bosses 48 are welded to side links 33 and 34 in the area of the pivot points. Bosses 49 are also employed along the shafts 47 between the end links 33 and 34 and the center link 32, are welded to center link 32 and act as spacers as well as additional bearing surfaces. These bosses 48 and 49 actually increase the bearing area at the pivot points. The end links 33 and 34 overlap each other in the closed position and they are positioned in over and under relationship so that the concavities of curved links 33 and 34 are directed in diametrically opposing directions, FIGS. 3-5. V

The end links 33 and 34, respectively, are also pivotally connected to the door hangers 26 and 27, respectively, by means of shafts 47 which extend through openings in theend links and the door hangers and are maintained therein in the same manner as the linkage attachments. These pivotal connections are somewhat above the doors l8 and 19 themselves and well below the pivotal connections 28 and 29 of the door hangers to the housings 30 and 31.

The center links 32 are shown fixed to the central shaft 40 by means of pins 41. These links 32 can be fixed to the shaft by other means known in the art such as by welding, keying, square shafts, etc. Shaft 40 which extends transversely through the center links also extends through a pinion gear 38 which is positioned intermittent the two center links 32. Shaft 40 is supported at each end by hearing blocks 64, FIG. 6. Pinion gear 38 is likewise fixed to shaft 40 so that as pinion gear 38 turns, the shaft and the center links 32 also turn. Pinion gear 38 engages cooperating teeth of a rack bar 37 and is maintained in engagement therewith by means of a guide roller 39 acting on rack bar 37. The rack bar 37 is welded to the coupler 65 which threadably engages piston rod 66 which cooperates with cylinder 35 in standard fashion, FIG. 3. Cylinder 35 is mounted to end walls 23 of hoppers 12 and 13 in space 16. A bar stop 42 secured to a reinforced rear portion rack bar 37 limits the lower movement thereof.

The curved links 33 and 34 which are spaced in over and under relationship with respect to each other, permit the doors 18 and 19 to be locked in both the open and closed position since the pivotal connections between the end links and the center link will go overcenter with respect to the center link-shaft connection in both the open and closed positions, FIGS. 3 and 5. In the closed position the end links 33 and 34 engage each other to limit their movement.

The positioning of the linkage assembly and the door hangers is very critical. The doors l8 and 19 in the closed position approach the horizontal, yet as they open, the door angle of discharge rapidly increases. When the center link 32 is vertical, the center of gravity of the doors 18 and 19 and the door hangers 26 and 27 is vertically disposed below the pivotal connections 28 and 29, respectively. In other words, when the link 32 is vertical, the linkage assembly is in the position of least mechanical advantage, while at the same time, the doors and door hangers are not exerting any pressure on the linkage assembly since the center of gravity thereof is directly below the pivotal connection so that for all practical purposes, the door hanger and doors are freely suspended. When the links open completely and overlock in the open position, the doors l8 and 19 are still well within the sides of the car and indeed are within the AAR clearance requirements.

The air reservoir (not shown) which connects to and operates the cylinder 35, is normally positioned at the end of the car beneath the overhanging end hopper. A valve system (not shown) cooperates with the cylinder 35 so that the cylinder piston rod may be activated upwardly or downwardly depending on the position of the valve. When the cylinder 35 is activated by air, this produces a rectilinear motion in the piston rod and the rack 37 coupled thereto. The rack 37 converts the motion to circular motion through the mating pinion gear 38 which in turn is secured to a shaft 40 likewise secured to the center links 32.

The general scheme of the door actuating system can be utilized in a center silless rapid commodity discharge car to permit the discharge of the lading at two different times or the simultaneous handling of two different types of lading. The car includes four hoppers 51, 52, 53 and 54 positioned lengthwise of the car and separated by spaces 59, 60 and 61, respectively, FIGS. 8 and 9. Each hopper is open at its bottom and is shaped similar to the hoppers of the earlier embodiment.

However, the doors which close in overlapping relationship along the longitudinal center line of the car are divided into two sets so that each set can be operated independent of the other by independent door actuating systems. Specifically, doors 55 and 56 form one door set to close off hoppers 51 and 52, whereas doors 57 and 58 form a second door set to close off hoppers 53 and 54. Doors 55 and 56 are actuated by door actuating assembly 62 positioned in space 59 between hoppers 51 and 52. Likewise doors 57 and 58 are actuated by door actuating assembly 63 positioned in the space 61 between hoppers 53 and 54. Each door actuating assembly 62 and 63 operates independent of each other and as shown in FIG. 9, doors 55 and 56 are open to discharge the fine lading in hoppers 51 and 52, whereas doors 57 and 58 are closed to retain the coarse lading in hoppers 53 and 54. The door actuating assemblies 57 and 58 are positioned and function in the same manner as the earlier embodiment.

Our rapid commodity discharge car is characterized by the rapidity in which lading is discharged. Initial experience has indicated that hopper car loads of coal, sometimes in excess of 100 tons, can be discharged in seconds or less. The substantial unobstructed bottom opening eliminates bridging of the lading, the results of which is to further assure the rapid discharge.

We claim:

1. A rapid commodity discharge car including:

A. at least two compartment hoppers spaced from one another lengthwise of the car and unobstructively open at their hopper bottom;

B. door hangers mounted in pairs transverse of said car and on either side of the longitudinal center line of the car at first pivotal connections in the space between the hoppers, said first pivotal connections being substantially internal of the car sides;

- C. door means mounted to each door hanger and movable between an overlapping closed position along the car longitudinal center line and an open position internal of the car sides which exposes said hopper bottoms;

D. door actuating means including an actuator vertically disposed in the space between certain of said hoppers and between the door hanger pair and a linkage assembly comprising a center link means rigidly connected to said actuator, and two curved link means spaced in over and under relationship and pivotally mounted between opposing ends of the center link means and said door hangers, said linkage forming an over-center lock in both the open and closed position, the center of gravity of said door means and said door hanger being vertically disposed below said first pivotal connections when said center link means is in a vertical position, said actuator including 'an air cylinder mounted to said car in said sapce, a piston operably engaged and vertically disposed in said cylinder, a rack bar connected to said piston, and a pinion gear matingly engaged with said rack, said pinion gear mounted to rotate said center link means, said rack bar including 'a stop means to limit the extension thereof.

2. The car of claim 1 wherein said center link means includes two spaced center links rigidly mounted on a shaft extending therethrough, said spaced center links positioned on either side of the pinion gear, the pinion gear also being rigidly secured to said shaft.

3. The car of claim 1 wherein each curved link means includes four links spaced in pairs, each pair having a center link positioned therebetween.

4. The car of claim I wherein each door hanger comprises two spaced metal plates secured together by a tie plate positioned therebetween, said door hanger pivotally mounted on a shaft extending through the metal plates, said shaft supported by a housing mounted to adjacent compartment hopper ends.

5. The car of claim 1 having at least four compartments hoppers, said door means divided into first and second door means, each of the first and second door means adapted to close off at least two adjacent hopper bottoms, said door actuating means including an independent actuator and linkage assembly positioned between the space of adjacent hoppers for each of the first and second door means.

6. In a rapid commodity discharge car having a plurality of spaced hoppers lengthwise of the car, the improvement comprising a center silless construction having a pair of doors which close off the hopper bottoms in overlapping relationship along the longitudinal center line of the car and an air cylinder and rack and pinion gear mounted vertically in the space between the centermost hoppers, said rack having a stop means to limit the extension thereof, said pinion gear rigidly connected to a center link which forms a linkage assembly with two curved links spaced in over and under relationship and pivotally mounted to the center link at the ends thereof and intermittent of door hangers which support the doors, said door hangers positioned in pairs on opposing sides of the longitudinal center line and depending from pivotal connections to adjacent hoppers in the spaces therebetween, said linkage assembly forming over-center locking in both an open and closed position and the door hangers and linkage assembly being positioned so that the center of gravity of each door and door hanger is vertically disposed center link is vertical. 

1. A rapid commodity discharge car including: A. at least two compartment hoppers spaced from one another lengthwise of the car and unobstructively open at their hopper bottom; B. door hangers mounted in pairs transverse of said car and on either side of the longitudinal center line of the car at first pivotal connections in the space between the hoppers, said first pivotal connections being substantially internal of the car sides; C. door means mounted to each door hanger and movable between an overlapping closed position along the car longitudinal center line and an open position internal of the car sides which exposes said hopper bottoms; D. door actuating means including an actuator vertically disposed in the space between certain of said hoppers and between the door hanger pair and a linkage assembly comprising a center link means rigidly connected to said actuator, and two curved link means spaced in over and under relationship and pivotally mounted between opposing ends of the center link means and said door hangers, said linkage forming an overcenter lock in both the open and closed position, the center of gravity of said door means and said door hanger being vertically disposed below said first pivotal connections when said center link means is in a vertical position, said actuator including an air cylinder mounted to said car in said sapce, a piston operably engaged and vertically disposed in said cylinder, a rack bar connected to said piston, and a pinion gear matingly engaged with said rack, said pinion gear mounted to rotate said center link means, said rack bar including a stop means to limit the extension thereof.
 2. The car of claim 1 wherein said center link means includes two spaced center links rigidly mounted on a shaft extending therethrough, said spaced center links positioned on either side of the pinion gear, the pinion gear also being rigidly secured to said shaft.
 3. The car of claim 1 wherein each curved link means includes four links spaced in pairs, each pair having a center link positioned therebetween.
 4. The car of claim 1 wherein each door hanger comprises two spaced metal plates secured together by a tie plate positioned therebetween, said door hanger pivotally mounted on a shaft extending through the metal plates, said shaft supported by a housing mounted to adjacent compartment hopper ends.
 5. The car of claim 1 having at least four compartments hoppers, said door means divided into first and second door means, each of the first and second door means adapted to close off at least two adjacent hopper bottoms, said door actuating means including an independent actuator and linkage assembly positioned between the space of adjacent hoppers for each of the first and second door means.
 6. In a rapid commodity discharge car having a plurality of spaced hoppers lengthwise of the car, the improvement comprising a center silless construction having a pair of doors which close off the hopper bottoms in overlapping relationship along the longitudinal center line of the car and an air cylinder and rack and pinion gear mounted vertically in the space between the centermost hoppers, said rack having a stop means to limit the extension thereof, said pinion gear rigidly connected to a center link which forms a linkage assembly with two curved links spaced in over and under relationship and pivotally mounted to the center link at the ends thereof and intermittent of door hangers which support the doors, said door hangers positioned in pairs on opposing sides of the longitudinal center line and depending from pivotal connections to adjacent hoppers in the spaces therebetween, said linkage assembly forming over-center locking in both an open and closed position and the door hangers and linkage assembly being positioned so that the center of gravity of each door and door hanger is vertically disposeD below said door hanger pivotal connection when said center link is vertical. 